Mangrove horseshoe crabs are one of the three lesser-known horseshoe crab species, with the other two living species also found in Asia. They stand apart from other horseshoe crab species in both their appearance and breeding habits. All horseshoe crabs have a tail-like structure called the Telson, which they use to turn themselves over if they're knocked upside down. In the Mangrove horseshoe crab, the Telson has a circular cross-section with a smooth surface, making it easier to navigate without getting stuck in the mangrove roots where they spend a lot of their time. The other three horseshoe crab species prefer sandy or muddy beaches for mating, but Mangrove horseshoe crabs prefer to breed in the tangled roots of mangrove forests.
Male Mangrove horseshoe crabs are typically described as slightly smaller than females, although on average, these invertebrates reach about 6 inches in diameter. They have specialized claws for grasping the female shell and holding on while she drags him around the roots. Female Mangrove horseshoe crabs lay large eggs, and the babies that hatch from them look like tiny versions of the adults. It's currently believed that Mangrove horseshoe crabs breed year-round, and their tropical habitat helps facilitate this.
When they aren't breeding, Mangrove horseshoe crabs search for food such as algae, decaying fish, and marine worms. They also eat bivalves, which could contribute to their toxic taste in some parts of their range. Mangrove horseshoe crabs are eaten by humans; however, reports suggest their meat and eggs can be poisonous to consume due to their contaminated bivalve diet. The bivalves eat toxic algae, and the toxins remain in the mollusks to get passed on to whatever animals eat them.
Mangrove horseshoe crabs are also threatened by habitat loss. It's currently suggested that as long as Mangrove habitats remain intact, this species will continue to thrive. However, loss of this vital resource could spell disaster.
